Choosing a replacement??

Noddy · 11 August 2006, 10:40

Having just sold Martann II I am already itching for another slightly larger Rib.
I have looked at a couple, one is a "Salcombe Flyer" circa 2002 approx 4.8m with a Mariner 60 4 Stroke at around £7,000. Looks really smart but not sure on its sea keeping ability, its a fairly deep V hull but the tubes dont look that large - anyone got one?
The one that really catches my eye is a "Ribtec Freeway" 5.5m with a 75 Honda 4 stroke at £10,000. One thing to bear in mind is that I have to tow and launch with a 1900cc Peugot Campervan?
I would value your opinions?
Martyn

havener · 11 August 2006, 14:36

Wouldn't have had a clue how to help you out...until last weekend!! Borther in law's got a Ribtec Freeway, and ended up spending two days on it both enjoying ourselves and providing safety cover for a regatta.

Assuming it's the same model, i.e. offset console with "hard" part to inner tube on which are mounted engine controls, and a whacking great GRP A frame, my comments would be...

Handling - We ran it both in some lumpy stuff off Lundy, and flat calm inside the bar at Appledore.

Lumpy stuff - handled well, great tendancy to slam though and with three on board the bow has a tendancy to rise significantly. Weight distribution of passengers is difficult, as the best place for them to sit (bow seat and seat in front of console) are flaming uncomfortable. Other half still has a bruised back!

Flat calm - superb handling. I ran it through RYA L2 manoeuvres to demonstrate, and was pleased with its response.

Finish - two concerns. Removeable seat backs are crap, and don't stay in place for more than two minutes. Main area of consern though it the "hard" GRP inside panel next to the helmsman. Gives to problems - firstly, you never get a satisfactory, long term join where RP has to curve around a flexing tube, and secondly it massively limits how you get in and out of the boat, especially when its on a trailer. You do NOT want to sling you knee over a tube and meet with GRP!

But don't forget I'm biased - I use a Delta for work, and look at things from a workboat viewpoint. If you want an easy to launch, nice looking rib which will carry a family and gear in reasonable conditions, the Ribtec looks a good bet.

Not sure about launching with a campervan - we were launching with my L200 on a double axle trailer, with no problems at all.

Best wishes

Simon

Noddy · 11 August 2006, 14:52

Thanks a lot Havener - very informative - just what I wanted
Martyn

havener · 11 August 2006, 16:19

Martyn -

Forgot to mention....one very big drawback...

The drainage system is, to put it mildy, shite. One tiny little plughole going into an even smaller pipe....which blocks almost instantly, probably would do so if an ant lost a leg in it.

In my view it's dangerously so - don't let that stop you buying one, but invest in a hole saw and elephant's trunk as well :-)

codprawn · 11 August 2006, 18:04

I remember reading a report on a Salcombe flyer in a boat mag - it wasn't the RIB but the same hull. From what i remember they were very impressed. They said it was a very efficient hull and coped very well with big waves.

Cookee · 14 August 2006, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

I remember reading a report on a Salcombe flyer in a boat mag - it wasn't the RIB but the same hull. From what i remember they were very impressed. They said it was a very efficient hull and coped very well with big waves.

We have the moulds and the rights to all of the Salcombe flyer boats including the RIBs. We are currently working on the smallest one to make it more of a "BananaShark"! Expect to hear something towards the end of the year!

I should say that the hull has a very good reputation - Our modifications are to other areas!

dhutch · 28 November 2007, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

We have the moulds and the rights to all of the Salcombe flyer boats including the RIBs. We are currently working on the smallest one to make it more of a "BananaShark"! Expect to hear something towards the end of the year!

I should say that the hull has a very good reputation - Our modifications are to other areas!

Just interested in whats happening with this? Purely out of curousity really i guess.
- I dont actaully have a powerboat as such, but i sail reguarly in salcombe and my housemate has a flyer rib.
- I personaly think its a bloody nice boat, certainly goes well and looks the part. Rather jealous i think!

Daniel

ribraff · 29 November 2007, 08:29

Salcombe flyer company made about ten ribs a few years ago but were never really pushed forward sales wise, they built more hardboats, i agree in the hull being very good for the size boat.

Cookee · 29 November 2007, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhutch

Just interested in whats happening with this? Purely out of curousity really i guess.
- I dont actaully have a powerboat as such, but i sail reguarly in salcombe and my housemate has a flyer rib.
- I personaly think its a bloody nice boat, certainly goes well and looks the part. Rather jealous i think!

Daniel

Thanks very much - we think they are a great hull as well - a couple of photos so that you can see what we've done - tapered tubes and changed the bow profile completely - If you and your mate would like to try the "new" one then let me know!

ribraff · 29 November 2007, 13:02

Cookee, have you extended the length?

The Garfish · 29 November 2007, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribraff

Cookee, have you extended the length?

yus. heez stukk sikks inchis ov a barnarnana sharrk onn de ennd. dis bitt gows fasster thann de resst ov de bote

Cookee · 29 November 2007, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Garfish

yus. heez stukk sikks inchis ov a barnarnana sharrk onn de ennd. dis bitt gows fasster thann de resst ov de bote

I'll give that

out of a possible 5!

Yes that is extended a little, but most of the work is in the bow section.

dhutch · 29 November 2007, 17:02

Fair enough, thanks for that.
- As i say, i was just curous as to what had happened with the boats.

My mate bought his off gary, who now stores it for them in salcombe when there not using her.

Heres a pair of return photos!

As said, for the size of boat, shes goes very well.
- Its a very diffrent experence from a heavy deep vee'd boston or somthing, and she will skip sideways if your being stupid, but is that a bad thing?

Bloody nice colour as well, lol.

Daniel

andrewslater · 02 December 2007, 20:01

check your pm ribraff